Page 61 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

“What’s up?” I called back, straightening up and turning to see him strolling toward me.

Dalton was wearing a paisley button-down that looked a size too big, tucked into a pair of faded jeans. His cowboy hat was tipped low, and he had that easygoing grin on his face.

“Just wanted to stop by before I headed to Roger’s.”

“You’re headed there tonight too?”

He nodded. “Gat got invited as well, so it’ll be the three of us.”

“Joy,” I deadpanned.

I was hoping I’d get to spend more time with Fable, but if the crew was coming around, there’d be a lot of loud drinking and arguing about which stock contractor had the best bulls.

“At least I’ll get something good to look at if Harl⁠—”

“Stop, Dalt.” I cut him off, throwing him a sharp look. “She’s older than you, and she’s Roger’s daughter. Not someone to screw around with.”

“Whatever, man,” he said with a shrug. “She can make her own decisions.”

I brushed past him, heading toward the house, but Dalton wasn’t one to let things go.

“Why’ve you been so grumpy lately?” he asked, jogging a little to keep up with me. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit.” He pressed as he walked beside me. “You’ve been all out of sorts. Did you piss off your dad again, or is this about that new neighbor of yours? What was her name—Fable?”

My jaw tightened as I kept walking. “Drop it, Dalton.”

“Thought you didn’t fuck around unless it was just with a buckle bunny? I thought you were about making things chill on event nights?”

“I’m not going to be like one of the married guys, Dalt. She’s my . . . neighbor.”

As Dalton kept yapping, I tuned him out, my mind circling back to Fable. She tied my thoughts into knots in ways I couldn’t untangle. Having her close, where I could keep an eye on her, wasn’t the worst thing. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

It wasn’t about wanting her. It was about control. If I could convince myself we were friendly neighbors, then I’d be able to keep my emotions in check. I could stick to my usual routine—keep things casual, not get caught up in the way she made me feel.

Hell, maybe Dalton was right for once. If I kept it simple, stuck to the boundaries we’d laid out, then I wouldn’t lose my damn mind every time she smiled or looked at me like she didn’t even realize the grip she had on me.

“Alright, Dalt, I gotta go,” I said abruptly, stopping before the porch steps.

Dalton frowned. “What? You’re not gonna drive?”

“Hell no. Ask Gatlin to take you.”

“Why not?”

I glanced back at him, my hand on the door. “I’m picking up Fable.”

“You could pick me up on the way, technically I⁠—”

“I’m picking up Fable,” I repeated a little slower.

Dalton’s eyes lit up, and a slow, knowing grin spread across his face. “See? I told you,” he shouted triumphantly, pointing at me like he’d just won a bet.

Without another word, I stepped inside and slammed the door in his face, cutting off his laughter.

God help me, that man is insufferable.